But Melendez says many undocumented immigrants still drive without a license.

"They have to drive out of the necessity to take their children to school, go to church and go to the different places that they need to travel too," said Melendez.

The issue of illegal immigrants obtaining driver's licenses is a hot button topic.

Opponents say changing the law sends mixed messages.

"We have certain citizenship and immigration laws in place and you just can't sweep those laws under the rug and say well, we want to follow all the laws, except for this one," said Representative Kelly Hastings of Cleveland County.

According to the 2010 census, undocumented immigrants make up 8 percent of the population.

Melendez recommends those applying for driver's licenses be subject to a criminal background check. They would also have to meet the same requirements as any other applicant and pay for car insurance.

But Rep. Hastings says it just doesn't make sense.

"It would be bad for public health and safety of the citizens of the United States of America," said Rep. Hastings.

The driver license issue has been settled in some states, Texas, Virginia and Oregon among them, that have said they will allow driver's licenses for immigrants obtaining what the Obama administration calls "deferred action for childhood arrivals."
Arizona and Nebraska have pledged to deny driver's licenses to anyone who benefits from the federal relief. California immigration bills going down to the wire

CA. DMV announced earlier this month it would issue driver's licenses to people who receive a work permit under the new program. In a statement to the North County Times Wednesday, the DMV backtracked, saying it was not clear what documents the federal government would give people and whether those documents met state regulations to issue the licenses.Obama work program for young illegal aliens poses problems for workers, employers

Even in some states that have passed strong anti-illegal immigration laws, such as Georgia, driver's licenses may be available to undocumented immigrants who qualify under the new policy.
Under current Georgia law, people with deferred status can get a license, and that's what the state will do unless it gets different orders, said Susan Sports, spokeswoman for the state's Department of Driver Services.Driver's license rules fuel new immigration debate